A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has said alleged plans for an interim government, which he described as unconstitutional, must be resisted because it will be a major setback for the country.

Agbakoba, in a statement on Thursday, said it was shocking to learn from the Department of State Services that such a plot was being hatched.

His statement was titled, ‘No constitutional provision for an interim government.’

He said, “I suggest that the gravest possible consequences must be applied to all who are associated with this treasonable intent. The general elections have held, albeit under the most challenging circumstance. But a President-elect has emerged and we must respect and accept this as fact. At least for now.

“All leading presidential candidates have approached the courts with grounds of complaint concerning what they consider electoral irregularities. If the presidential candidates have accepted the democratic process by lodging petitions before the courts, then it is very difficult to understand what basis anyone considers that an interim government is a viable and legal alternative. We must all reject this nonsense and respect our Constitution, which has no provision for interim arrangements.”

Agbakoba added that, “As the President-elect is sworn into office on May 29, the judicial process will ultimately render a decision. As Nigerians, we must turn to the courts to render a decision on the petitions before them. The judicial process will certainly carry a huge responsibility in the process of democratic consolidation. The notion of the contraption referred to as interim government has no place in our lives and our constitution. We must all say no.”

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